Leading cancer specialists write to Government warning patients denied optimal care due to underfunding

They have outlined their concerns in a strongly-worded letter to Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

They said that "as cancer doctors and researchers, we are writing to highlight the impact that lack of investment in the National Cancer Strategy is having on people with cancer in Ireland”.

"The strategy, which you (Mr Harris) published as Minister for Health in 2017, has the potential to significantly improve Ireland’s cancer outcomes through investment in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship supports."

However, they warn that it has only received proper funding in two of the seven Budgets. Screening has not been expanded as planned and target waiting times for cancer tests are not being met.

"Cancer surgeries are frequently delayed due to shortages in staffing, beds and theatre space.

"Investment in infrastructure has been lacking, despite increasing infection control issues and rising cancer incidence. Radiotherapy services are operating significantly below capacity. We are falling far short of the already modest target of 6pc of cancer patients participating in clinical trials. Ireland is also one of the slowest countries in Western Europe to make new medicines available to public patients. "

The doctors and researchers said staff do everything they can to minimise the impact of these deficits on patients.

However, it is simply not possible to provide optimal care or patient outcomes in these conditions. Ireland had the third highest cancer mortality in western Europe.

"Given the impact of Covid-19 on Ireland’s cancer services and the Government’s failure to provide any new recurrent development funding for the strategy in 2023 or 2024, we have no reason to believe the situation has improved. Rather, given the pressure our services are currently under, Ireland’s cancer outcomes are at risk of going backwards.

“People with cancer in Ireland deserve the best possible chance of surviving the disease and enjoying a good quality of life afterwards. This will only be achieved through properly resourced cancer services, with protected pathways that are not disrupted by other pressures on the health service.

"We urge you to reverse the decision to provide no new recurrent funding to the national cancer control programme and to commit to sufficient ringfenced multiannual funding to enable full delivery of the strategy.”

Signatures to the letter include Prof Donal Brennan of the Mater hospital, Dr Sinead Brennan, St Luke's hospital, Dr Paula Calvert, Waterford, Prof Ruth Clifford, Limerick, Prof Michael Kerin Galway and Prof Seamus O Reilly, Cork.

The doctors are supported by the Irish Cancer Society chief executive Averil Power who said it must serve as a “wake up call”.

Last week Mr Donnelly defended cancer funding saying” there has never been as much investment as there has been in cancer services as in the last number of years “allowing for the expansion of services and more staff.

He said advocates and doctors are “absolutely right “ to call for more. This year the focus is on productivity, he said.